New Release Interview: The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

It is the second of three young adult novels being published this fall to great acclaim. The first is Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson. The third is Teardrop (October 22nd) by Lauren Kate. The Eye of Minds is that middle title—and it’s fantastic!

The author of the bestselling novel and soon-to-be movie The Maze Runner, James Dashner has woven a great story among the setting of the virtual / gamer environment. Writers working in the young adult field are pushing the envelope and The Eye of Minds does just that, a fast-paced daring look at our possible future.

Want to learn more? Here you go!

Here is more about The Eye of Minds:

From James Dashner, the author of the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, comes an all-new, edge-of-your seat adventure. The EYE OF MINDS is the first book in The Mortality Doctrine, a series set in a world of hyperadvanced technology, cyberterrorists, and gaming beyond your wildest dreams . . . and your worst nightmares.

Michael is a gamer. And like most gamers, he almost spends more time on the VirtNet than in the actual world. The VirtNet offers total mind and body immersion, and it’s addictive. Thanks to technology, anyone with enough money can experience fantasy worlds, risk their life without the chance of death, or just hang around with Virt-friends. And the more hacking skills you have, the more fun. Why bother following the rules when most of them are dumb, anyway?

But some rules were made for a reason. Some technology is too dangerous to fool with. And recent reports claim that one gamer is going beyond what any gamer has done before: he’s holding players hostage inside the VirtNet. The effects are horrific—the hostages have all been declared brain-dead. Yet the gamer’s motives are a mystery.

The government knows that to catch a hacker, you need a hacker.

And they’ve been watching Michael. They want him on their team. But the risk is enormous. If he accepts their challenge, Michael will need to go off the VirtNet grid. There are back alleys and corners in the system human eyes have never seen and predators he can’t even fathom—and there’s the possibility that the line between game and reality will be blurred forever.

I decided to ask James a few questions. And they are posted below!

Beware!

NEW RELEASE INTERVIEW: THE EYE OF MINDS BY JAMES DASHNER

Shawn Speakman: THE EYE OF MINDS is published today! Tell Suvudu readers about your new book!

James Dashner: It’s something I’m extremely excited about – very different from The Maze Runner but still in the same vein of what my readers like. It deals with extremely advanced technology, a virtual reality world almost indistinguishable from our own, cyber terrorism, artificial intelligence, and lots of other cool stuff.

Shawn Speakman: The main character, Michael, is a gamer who spends a great deal of his time in a cyber world. Do you see that as the future? Could that possibly happen? Has it ALREADY happened? What dangers exist? THE EYE OF MINDS seems to highlight some of those dangers.

I feel like the VirtNet is not only possible, but inevitable. The way our technology advances, and the speed at which it does, I’m thinking we’re only 20 years or so from this kind of world. And I do think it’s dangerous. When you can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not, things might get a little hairy.

Shawn Speakman: Are you gamer yourself? If so, what are some of your favorite games?

I grew up loving video games, and my kids love them, too. I’d say currently, I now lean toward physical gaming, everything from Pathfinder to Ticket to Ride. I tried to meld those two worlds in the VirtNet.

Shawn Speakman: I love the young adult genre because the writers are doing a wonderful job of seeing our world through the lense of fantasy and asking questions. How does THE EYE OF MINDS accomplish this? Or does it need to, for that matter?

My first goal when I write a book is to entertain my readers. I don’t think about their age, or themes, or any kind of contrived motives. But, naturally, since I try to make things ring as true as possible, a lot of that stuff comes through naturally. When my books make people “think” about the world, and how things aren’t so black and white, that’s just a bonus.

Shawn Speakman: The MAZE RUNNER is being adapted into a major motion picture that releases in 2014. Talk about that process, what it’s been like for you as the book’s author, and what your readers can expect?

The movie has easily been the most exciting thing in my career so far. Luckily, 20th Century Fox wanted me involved and I’ve had a ridiculously fun time doing so. I gave feedback on the script, visited the set twice, stayed in contact with the producers and director. My fans can expect a spectacular film that stays very true to the plot, spirit, and tone of the book.

Shawn Speakman: What are you currently working on?

I’m doing revisions on the sequel to The Eye of Minds.

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner is in fine bookstores today! Feel free to read an excerpt HERE as well. And to learn more about James’s work, visit www.jamesdashner.com!